By Nick Creely
JOURNAL FOOTBALL REVIEW
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 2 – QUALIFYING FINAL
Keysborough is inching one step closer to an inspired first premiership in the Southern Football League after dispatching Caulfield to the tune of 28-points at Meade Reserve on Saturday, 13.7(85) to 8.9(57).
Coming in as warm favorites, with a host of stars in top touch, the Burra wasted no time in stamping their very powerful authority, putting the game away with an absolute clinical first quarter.
After the Bears kicked the game’s opening major, only minutes into the contest, a bag of Timmy Werner goals within just two minutes of each other got the ball rolling, with the Burras slamming on another four unanswered goals to hold a lead of 32-points at quarter time.
With young Sandringham Dragon star Jacob Bakes (two goals), Jake D’Atri and Daniel Morland helping fill the void left by champion midfielder Ryan Goodes (jaw), the Bears couldn’t close in on the deficit in the second and third quarters, with the Burra kicking seven goals to four to further stamp its dominance, before taking the foot off the pedal in a lackluster final term.
But it was the brilliant Werner who once again turned heads, pulling out yet another brilliant best afield performance in a win even more impressive considering Chris Bryan missed for personal reasons.
Burras coach Matt Ferguson was thrilled with the brilliant first quarter from his side, but said the focus is now well and truly on their next opponents, a red-hot Chelsea Heights who have tasted defeat just three times this season.
“We really built ourselves up for a strong start, we have been the best first-quarter side this year so we focused on doing what had worked throughout the year,” he said.
“We are confident our best footy is good enough but we respect Chelsea Heights strengths which are many,” Ferguson said.
“We go in as underdogs but will give it a red hot crack.”
DIVISION 3 – SECOND SEMI FINALS
Finals always bring out the best in teams and Endeavour Hills may just be this year’s true contender in a wide open premiership race.
Extraordinarily, the Falcons pulled off one of their greatest wins in recent memory, knocking off dominant minor premier Hallam in a stunning performance that now sees them advance to the grand final, 7.5(47) to 9.9(63).
The hot-starting Hawks banged through four first quarter goals to lead by nine-points at quarter time, before a brilliant team defensive unit held the competition’s most powerful attacking side to just 23-points in the final three quarters to seal a huge momentum booster.
Midfielder Daniel Batson was instrumental in yet another win for the Falcons, while Manny Peresso did all he could to revive a Hallam side that must now bounce back in next week’s preliminary final.
In Division 2’s other semi-final, Doveton withstood a brave third quarter fightback against Ashwood to claim a gritty 32-point win, 9.12(66) to 14.14(98).
It now sets up a cut throat preliminary final this week against Hallam for a spot in the grand final against Endeavour Hills.
In a tight first quarter with no side giving much away, the Eagles broke clear in the second quarter with five goals to two to open up a commanding 20-point half time lead.
A fired up Ashwood side came out breathing fire in the third quarter, drawing to within two-points before a crucial Eagles’ goal saw the margin sit at just eight-points with a quarter to play.
But inspired by the brilliance of Adam Read (two goals) who provided clutch moments throughout the match, as well as solid performances in attack by Enayate Samadi (three goals), Michael Callinan (three goals) and Russell Robertson (two goals), the Eagles rode the wave of momentum to dominant in a five goal to one final term.
Hallam and Doveton Eagles will battle it out in what is set to be a cracking match at Keysborough Reserve on Saturday.
FINALS FIXTURES
DIVISION 2 – SEMI FINALS
Chelsea Heights v Keysborough, Power Reserve, Saturday 9 September 2.15pm
Caulfield v Murrumbeena, Power Reserve, Sunday 10 S
DIVISION 3 – PRELIMINARY FINAL
Hallam v Doveton Eagles, Keysborough Reserve, Saturday 9 September 2.15pm
